Chapter 29: The Path of the Mage Il
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[Ding. System Navigation Update: First Mana Particle Detected. Location: Whispering Brook Cavern. Coordinates mapped to current memory. Estimated distance: 4 hours.]
"It’s called Whispering Brook Cavern," John said aloud. "Four hours to the southeast. Through the deeper forest."
Fizz tilted his head. "That’s a suspicious name. Whispering caverns sounds like it contains one of three things, one: ghosts, two: hungry frogs, or there: cursed echo birds."
"Let’s hope it’s just a rock with magic."
Fizz fluttered down to rest on his shoulder. "I hope it’s frogs. I haven’t seen a frog in years. They always explode when you tickle their throat."
The walk was uneventful until the second hour, when the path narrowed and dipped into a ravine thick with moss. Roots arched like ribs over their heads. That’s when the growling returned. It was louder this time, and much closer.
John paused. He pulled the void Dagger from his belt. Its edge shimmered faintly with ember light.
Fizz sniffed the air. "Something’s watching us. Something drooly."
From the bushes, a creature emerged. Its body was like a lizard, covered in patchy fur and bone plates. Red eyes gleamed with a feral light. It was the size of a wild boar but walked like a stalking panther.
[F-Rank Beast: Spine Maw]
Fizz floated lazily above. "Oh, good. A low rank beast. Should be a perfect warmup for you."